It was reported over the weekend that the Comprehensive Spending Review would include a £1.5 billion compensation scheme for Equitable Life policy holders who have seen their policies decrease in value since the turmoil that engulfed the insurance company in 1999, writes Stephen Clarke. The scheme is larger than the £400 million recommended earlier this… [Read More]
On occasion, I arrived at school after the registration bell. My hair was a mess, my uniform rumpled and my lunchbox nearly empty. By today’s standards, I would have qualified as a neglected child.
The rise in tutorial fees is now inevitable so the debate must move on to the next stage, which involves answering the question: how can universities charging upwards of £7,000 continue to attract the ablest students? If gaining a university degree is going to cost a similar amount as under the American system, then perhaps… [Read More]
In February, the EU proposed extending the Pregnant Workers’ Directive so that all member states provide 20 weeks of maternity leave with full pay, writes Natalie Hamill. Now, with one week to go before the European Parliament votes on the proposals, the debate has been reignited, with the UK Government criticising the EU for forcing… [Read More]
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission called for a moment of national mourning and teeth gnashing yesterday. They declared that progress towards closing the gender pay gap had ground to a halt. But the details of their triennial report reveals why this is so. It is because a discriminatory gender pay gap no longer exists.
Tomorrow, Lord Browne will deliver his review into university funding, writes Stephen Clarke, and there has been a great deal of debate about what the review will specifically propose. For example, leaks have suggested the fees that universities are allowed to charge will rise, and that there will be moves to differentiate interest rates on… [Read More]
What makes history? Is it war, necessity of change or great individuals? According to the Conservatives, it is the latter and one particular individual will ‘make’ history for the nation’s schoolchildren: Simon Schama. The Education Secretary, Michael Gove, has announced that he wants Schama to rewrite the history syllabus to teach more British history. Gove’s… [Read More]
The UK is being taken to court by the EU Commission for failing to comply with EU laws governing internet privacy and advertising, writes Natalie Hamill. The Commission is concerned that the UK’s legislation contravenes EU law and does not sufficiently protect the privacy of internet users.
Ken Clarke today announced his intention to get prisoners working 40-hour weeks in preparation for a life of employment. This is a broadly sensible idea. Most importantly, it rejects the supposed dichotomy between rehabilitation and incarceration. It illustrates that it is possible to have a robust criminal justice system that protects the public but also… [Read More]
Last week Ireland’s financial woes were well reported, writes Stephen Clarke. It became clear that the cost of Ireland’s bank bailout was a lot higher than previously forecast. The country is burdened with a €45 billion bill for bailing out all its embattled banks, this will see the annual budget deficit rise to 32% of… [Read More]